Piloting tomorrow's charities

Pilotlight is a UK-based charity that specialises in transferring corporate expertise to the voluntary sector. Its work is supported by a number of senior Serco managers, who volunteer the mentoring and consultancy support that small charities need to build their capacity and plan sustainable growth.

One of the year's most notable collaborations between Serco and Pilotlight involved working with charities on the government-sponsored Futurebuilders programme. The Serco Pilotlighters provided guidance in areas where our business has a strong track record: bidding for public sector funding, development of effective public sector services and business improvement.

E-mentors encourage Walsall pupils to aim high

In July, staff were invited to participate in a groundbreaking e-mentoring initiative aimed at youngsters in Walsall in the UK. Their overwhelmingly positive response demonstrates just how strongly mentoring has caught Serco's collective imagination. 

Jointly run by Serco's education contract in Walsall and the Serco-managed Education Business Partnership, the initiative neatly embraces each of Serco's five governing principles. Essentially, it is designed to encourage youngsters to fulfil their potential by raising their aspirations and academic achievements.

Altogether, 65 employees from different parts of Serco signed up to become e-mentors. The role involves devoting around 30 minutes each week to fostering a supportive relationship with an individual pupil through a fully secure email link. 

Through their support, Serco's e-mentors are successfully helping youngsters to improve their all-round personal and social skills while raising their self-esteem, self-confidence and future career prospects.

Business mentors give Richmond schoolgirls a head start

Throughout the year, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) remained closely involved with local schools and communities through the Richmond Education Business Partnership (REBP) in Surrey, in the UK. In particular, our Science Ambassadors nurtured their close links with pupils at the Waldegrave School for Girls through their involvement in its business mentoring scheme. Among other successful events, a series of social breakfast meetings brought together mentors, pupils and their parents to focus the girls' attention on making the best possible life and career choices.

Work experience sparks positive response from Dubai students

Our mentoring efforts initiatives were not confined to the UK. In the Middle East, Serco offered vital work experience to Tariq Ahmed, a student at the Dubai Higher College of Technology (Men's College). Tariq's placement came about as a result of Serco's role on the college's Aviation Programme Advisory Committee, which helps to structure courses for Dubai's aviation industry. 

During his four-week placement, Tariq gained hands-on experience with navigation aids as well as with communication, radar and meteorological equipment. The experience proved so useful that he is returning for a second placement with Serco, this time accompanied by course mate Saood Al Rais.